Citation

Phillips DP. Am. J. Sociol. 1980; 86(1): 139-148.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/227206

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

On the average, homicides decrease by 35.7% immediately following a publicized execution. The more publicity devoted to the execution, the the more homicides decrease thereafter. This decrease apparently occurs because capital punishment has a short-term deterrent effect on homicides. This deterrent effect has not been demonstrated previously. A long-term deterrent effect is not evidence from the findings.